Georgetown Fire Department urges residents to test alarms

Tuesday

Mar 13, 2018 at 7:45 PMMar 13, 2018 at 7:45 PM

The following article was submitted by the Georgetown Fire Department

After the community turned the clocks ahead, Chief Fred A. Mitchell Jr. and the Georgetown Fire Department would like to remind residents and business owners to test their fire and carbon monoxide alarms.

Daylight savings began at 2 a.m. March 11.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, having working smoke alarms reduces the risk of dying in a fire by 50 percent and, on average, three out of every five fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

The Georgetown Fire Department asks that all business owners not only change the batteries in their smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, but also replace the batteries on wall mounted emergency lights and exit signs. All businesses have emergency backup lighting as a safety feature to provide temporary lighting in case of power failure.

In order to continue to keep homes safe and prevent fires, Mitchell recommends that residents follow safety tips outlined by NFPA:

— Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month using the test button. Replace alarms immediately if they don’t respond properly when tested.

— Replace batteries in smoke and CO alarms when you change your clocks.

— Replace all smoke alarms when they reach 10 years old. Replace CO detectors according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

— CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area, on every level of the home, and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.

— If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay in that spot until emergency personnel arrive.

— Develop and practice a home escape plan with all members of the household.

For information on smoke detector and CO alarm safety, visit the NFPA website or contact the Georgetown Fire Department at 978-352-5757.